Police: Man who shot himself was trying to booby-trap car

Felon may have fabricated story to avoid problems

Published 10:00 pm, Monday, March 15, 2010

Last week, police were looking for a shooter in Seward Park -- one initially believed to have shot a man after an attempted robbery.

But investigators quickly learned the man actually had shot himself, and documents released Monday revealed the man had tried -- and failed -- to booby trap his car.

Police believe he initially lied about the incident because he's a five-time convicted felon prohibited from having guns.

A few minutes before 1 p.m. on March 8, a 911 caller said a man with a gunshot wound was sitting in a black Honda Accord in the parking lot of Seward Park. Officers found the man bleeding from his lower left leg.

He told officers a story about a robbery attempt, but then police found a .38-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver in the bushes about 30 yards north of the car, containing one fired and four unfired cartridge casings.

Police grilled the man about story inconsistencies and, according to police documents, he admitted he accidentally shot himself and tossed the gun in the bushes.

"When questioned about the incident, (the man) stated that he had set a booby trap as an anti-theft device by placing his loaded .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver with the hammer in the cocked position under his steering wheel," Gang Unit Detective Rob Thomas wrote in a police document.

"When he returned to his vehicle after jogging in the park he attempted to disarm his booby trap, accidentally set off the gun and shot himself in the leg."

The 24-year-old man, who had his first of five felony convictions in February 2005, is prohibited from possessing guns. Two of his felony convictions were firearms violations.

One came after he was arrested on July 20, 2008. Police said that night there was a 911 call about roughly 20 people fighting in front of the China Gate restaurant near Seventh Avenue South and South Weller Street. The man pleaded guilty to having a gun in his waistband.

Police obtained search warrants this month for the man's Honda Accord and his Beacon Hill apartment. During the residence search, members of the Gang Unit found several ammunition rounds in a bedroom dresser and marijuana in a balcony storage closet.

Seattlepi.com is not naming the man because he has not been charged in the case. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center after the shooting, but medics said the injuries were not life-threatening.